Man Utd icon Roy Keane called out for boxing fight by ex team-mate on live TV to end 21-year feud after ‘cheap’ red card

ROY KEANE has been called out for a boxing fight by former team-mate Jason McAteer.

The pair have a long-standing feud which dates back to their playing days but it was brought back to the surface because of comments made by Keane last week.

beIN Sports

Jason McAteer called out Roy Keane for a boxing match[/caption]

Reuters

Keane has a long-running feud with his former team-mate[/caption]

ITV

The Manchester United legend claimed McAteer deserved to be elbowed during a game in 2002[/caption]

Keane also defended himself by suggesting he barely made contactNews Group Newspapers Ltd

The Manchester United legend went through all ELEVEN of his career red cards – one of which was for elbowing McAteer in a game between United and Sunderland in August 2002.

Keane, 52, accused his former Republic of Ireland team-mate of shouting his mouth off and denied the elbow warranted a red card.

McAteer initially reacted by labelling Keane a “clown”, but went one further and jokingly called the pundit out for a fight when asked about the feud during an appearance on beIN Sports.

He said: “Yeah [I’m tired of it]. I’d rather he came in here now, and we just go, let bygones be bygones. Let’s just be civil.

“Or we can get in the ring for £1 million each and fight it out! Eddie [Hearn], if you’re watching. Eddie Hearn, get him on the phone.

“Roy, come on. You’re better than that. And I promise to stop reacting.”

If the pair were to fight it could be a close contest – there is just a one inch height difference and they are both the same age, though Keane possesses the weight advantage.

Keane sparked the most recent war of words by claiming McAteer deserved the elbow.

How the two rivals compare

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He said: “He deserved it. I wouldn’t go that far [calling Mcateer his team-mate].

“Just cause you play with somebody doesn’t mean that you are mates.

“Do you know what, what used to get to me is players who shout their mouths off.

“I didn’t mind lads kicking me up [and] booting me, honestly. But Mcateer, as usual, had plenty to say for himself.

“I didn’t deserve to be sent off in that game, absolutely not. If you ever look back in it, I didn’t even catch him.”

Mcateer, 52, also appears to hold ill feelings regarding that incident after 21 years.

He hit back at the Sky Sports star by pointing out his irony – as Keane now talks for a living.

McAteer tweeted: “Love it. Players shouting their mouths off!!!

“Funny You can’t shut the clown up now. And no we weren’t team-mates cause he never showed up and when he did he went home!!!! Please!!!!! Bore off.”